Green Lung / Marble Factory / Bristol

Feb 23

Feb 23 Green Lung / Marble Factory / Bristol

A trip to old Bristol town and a first visit to the Marble Factory, for what could be, in only February, a contender for gig of the year in my book. I present to you Green Lung on their co-headline “Heathen Neverland” tour with Unto Others.

A walk down Avon Street, passing all the new developments rising up around Temple Meads, and we come across an unassuming old industrial building – The Marble Factory. It’s the kind of place I love, an old warehouse of a building with a capacity of about 1,000. It’s simple and sparce, but rammed full of identity and atmosphere.

First up in support are Satan's Satyrs, an American band formed in Virgina in 2009 led by vocalist and bass player Clayton Burgess. The dropped their first release “Wild Beyond Belief!” in 2012, and have released five albums, the most recent being 2024’s “After Dark”.

And they deliver a thoroughly enjoyable set, of hard hitting, loud almost stoner rock. I wasn’t sure if there was a problem with the mix or if it was intentional, but in a way the instruments overlapped and merged into one sound. It was deep, powerful and relentless.

The lighting was (for a photographer like me) minimal. All backlit and mostly shades of red. This led to a very atmospheric, and mixed with the intensity of the nonstop sound, a very striking set.

The result was a very hard hitting and intense experience. The fuzzy wall of sound, mixed with the atmospheric silhouette lighting makes for a quite powerful experience. As a result, the set flies by in a whirlwind ! I’d certainly like to experience a longer set. There’s something here I like…. A presence, that draws you in with its power and relentless nature. A cracking opening.

Setlist

Thumpers Theme

Full Moon and Empty Veins

Pulp Star

Quick Quick Raid

Iron & Ivy

Show Me Your Skull

Alucard Ad 2018

Next up and a band we’ve seen a few times, Portland, Oregon’s own Unto Others. Originally formed in 2017 as Idle Hands, they changed their name in 2020 and have released three albums with “Mana” in 2019 (as Idle Hands), “Strength” (2021) and 20204’s “Never, Neverland”. Led by enigmatic frontman and guitarist Gabriel Franco, who is joined by Sebastian Silva (guitar), Brandon Hill (bass) and Colin Vranizan (drums).

Unto Others are frequent visitors to these shores, and have a very healthy following this side of the pond for their brand of gothic rock/heavy metal, and its clearly evident as they step out, the crowd cheering loudly.

Delivering a set about 45 minutes long, they race through an impressive list of tracks, heavily influenced by the latest album “Never, Neverland”.

Unto Others are a band like no other delivering goth-rock but with elements of the likes of The Ramones and Type O Negative in their sound. Loving a dark (often blue lit) stage to add to the mystique, Unto Others are an imposing outfit, long dark hair, dressed in black; Gabriel in his iconic aviator shades and Sabastian in long flowing black leather gothic coat. They have different stage personas too, Gabriel almost rooted to the spot at his mic stand, while Sebastian doesn’t stand still long, Slash-like, walking from one side to the other, foot on the monitor posing as be blasts out some killer riffs, before pacing back across the stage again.

Gabriel’s vocals are fantastic, and the band have a variety of influences on their sound. At times, Gabriel almost sounds like James Hetfield blasting out a Metallica stadium filling anthem, and then, all of a sudden they almost sound like the Smiths. The range and complexity of their songs adds a level of interest many bands can’t achieve.

Highlights for me were incredible versions of It Doesn’t Really Matter, Can You Hear the Rain, Time Goes On, and Give Me to the Night. As always, they give us a cover of the Ramones track Pet Sematary which is well received by the crowd. Gabriel is interacting with the audience as often as he can, and its clear they have a real affection for their UK fans.

Unto Others deliver a powerful and assured set and the crowd are loving every note.

Setlist

Butterfly

Momma Likes the Door Closed

Nightfall

Fame

Jackie

Double Negative

Suicide Today

Raigeki

Why

It Doesn’t Really Matter

Can You Hear the Rain

Heroin

When Will God's Work Be Done

Time Goes On

Flatline

Pet Sematary (Ramones cover)

Give Me to the Night

Dragon, Why Do You Cry?

A chance to nip to the bar and grab some chips from the van in the yard while the stage is re-set ready for tonight’s headliners Green Lung. I first Saw Green lung at Rough Trade with Morag Tong, and then again at Rescue Rooms with Boss Keloid and then supporting Clutch at Rock City, but tonight was my first time seeing them headline a large venue tour. I was excited to see how good it would be.

Formed in 2017 in London, Green Lung are Tom Templar (Vocals), Matt Wiseman (Drums), Scott Black (Guitar), John Wright (Organ) and Joseph Ghast (Bass). They write songs, heavily influenced by 60s/70s folk horror films and British pagan folklore, such as the Green Man and the Pendle Witches. Their style is somewhere between classic rock, stoner rock and doom metal. They released their first album “Woodland Rites” in 2019. This was followed in 2019 by “Black Harvest” and then, having joined Nuclear Blast in 2022, they released their most recent album “This Heathen Land” in 2023. The first time I heard “Woodland Rites” I could have sworn I’d just put on an early 70’s Sabbath album !

The stage is dressed with a huge ornate backdrop with artwork by Richard Wells, and the stage is adorned with pagan emblems including a large striking Ooser, positioned next to the drums (a large carved wooden head with staring eyes, flattened nose, hair, beard, and, most notably, sweeping curved bull's horns used in midwinter and May Day celebrations).

Following a taped introduction welcoming us to this Heathen Land, Green Lung step out into the limelight and the house erupts ! The noise is incredible as they launch into The Forest Church, Mountain Throne and The Ancient Ways all from 2023’s “This Heathen Land”.

What is so striking straight away, is the intensity and depth of their sound. It is thick and rich and considering there is only one guitar, this is incredible.

I can’t think of a better show opening segment, The Forest Church is announced by an iconic drum beat leading into towering, monstrous heavy riffs. Tom Templars vocals are rich and powerful and at times haunting in their delivery, whilst John’s organ elements add a sense of evil and a wonderfuly sinister air.

Mountain Throne is a powerful number written about the trial of the Pendle witches in 1612, one of the most famous witch trials in English history. Accused of the murder of ten people by the use of witchcraft. The track has the cut of a classic rock track, but with a modern twist and is fast and furious with a devilishly catchy chorus.

As the set continues we enjoy a more mellow moment with Song of the Stones. Powered by a more simple drum beat, and it certainly has that ancient ritual feel to it. You can almost see Christopher Lee being dragged unwillingly towards his ritual demise (The Wicker Man 1973).

Next up is one of my favourite songs from the latest album Maxine (Witch Queen) a song about Maxine Sanders, the ‘witch queen’ of the swinging sixties, who was a key figure in the development of modern pagan witchcraft and Wicca, along with her husband, Alex Sanders, and they co -founded Alexandrian Wicca. Considering the doom styling, this one is quirky and one you can dance to with its swirling organ tones and big riffs.

Still one of my favourite Green Lung tracks is Woodland Rites the title track from their 2019 debut album, which introduced me to the band, and reminded me so much of that 70’s Sabbath sound. A stunning song, that perfectly sums of Green Lung with towering riffs and catchy chorus, driven by a heavy bass and drum beat underpinning it. Scott’s guitar playing is immense. He can make that Gibson SG sound like three guitars, the sound is so rich and full.

Since I first saw them, the band have grown in stature and confidence. Tom Templar has always had an incredible voice and now, he strolls round the stage leaning into the crowd, punching the air delivering some incredible long and high notes. Scott too, is an incredible guitarist, but now moves around freely, confidence in his ability, making it look so so easy to do.

As the show draws to a close Let the Devil In, a song about the corruption of nuns “You’ve spent your whole, life in the service of God, down on your knees to save your soul. We’ve been watching, everything you do. Our Lord and Master has great plans for you”. The lyrics go on “Sister, you've been told, That making love's a sin. Open your heart, And let the devil in”. The crowd are singing along, horns in the air loving every single moment.

And finally, its time for the final number, and what better way to end than with the magnificent One for Sorrow. This is simply a monster of a song with a wall of doom noise thrown at you, with pounding riffs, matched with some of Toms best hauntingly beautiful vocals, which soar and rise above the music. It’s Green Lung at their heaviest, but as always crisp and clear. Magnificent. The crowd join in eagerly shouting the lyrics of the chorus right back at Tom.

Every time I’ve seen Green Lung, they have been exceptionally good, but tonight – the icing on the cake. Every element of the performance was immaculate, from the lighting to sound mix, to the musicianship and Tom Templar’s vocal skills.

Green Lung are a band on the rise, but they aren’t overwhelmed by it. No, they have embraced it and have grown with their success. The future is incredibly bright, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for them.

Setlist

Prologue

The Forest Church

Mountain Throne

The Ancient Ways

Call of the Coven

May Queen

Song of the Stones

Woodland Rites

Templar Dawn

Hunters in the Sky

Maxine (Witch Queen)